Type-writing machine



t e w m w e e h S 4 W w HA .IM MP Am HE .R W n Y T u. d o M w Patented Oct. 19,1897.

(No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2. E; M. HAMILTON.

, TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

No. 592,052. Patented Oct 19, 1897.

N INVENTOR 1 N d wa /Wart mam 4 Arronmzrs 4 Sheets--Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

B. M. HAMILTON. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

Patented Oct INVENTOR By flag Mm ATTORNEYS.

WI TNESSES -nmm [S ATES PAT NT ries.

EMERY M. HAMILTON, OF FLUSHING, NEW YORK.

TYP-E-WRITINiG M ACH l N E.

SPECIFICATION forming part er Letters ratntlvateaose, dated October 19, 1897.

Application filed July 24., 1896.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMERY M. HAMILTON, a resident of Flushing, Queens county, State of New York, have invented certain'new and useful Improvements in Type-Writing. Machines, of which the following is a specification.

. My invention relates to type-writing machines, and has for its object to produce a very compact and efficient type-writer.

To this end my invention consists in the construction hereinafter set forth and claimed.

My invention will be understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in Which-- I Figure 1 is a broken-away full-size plan View of a type-writer embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear sectional elevation thereof on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the platen-feed of the machine on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 3. diagram of a portion of the machine, show- .ing the mode of mounting the key-levers.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the type-writing machine, designed more especially to exhibit the carriage-shiftin g mechanism in detail and showing the carriage in the normal position. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, the carriage being shown as shifted to bring the characters on the extremity of the type-bar in contact with the platen. Fig. ,8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing the carriage as shifted to bring the platen into such position that the additional signs on the lower parts of the type-bar will contact with the platen when a type-key is depressed. Fig. 9 is a section on line 9 9 of Fig. 1, being designed more especially to show the mechanism for actuating the feed-dog: Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a modified form of type-bar-actuating mechanism and its mounting. Fig. 11 is a plan View thereof, and Fig. 12 is a side elevation of another modification of type-bar-actuatin g mechanism and its mounting.

In the drawings, 1 is the platen of the machine, which is carried upon a spindle 2, mounted in the framework 3 of the typewriter and having at one end a milled handwheel 4, by which the platen maybe turned,

cam-faced t0e 9.

.and 4:.) axis 10 and may bevibrated by the handhold 10*, Fig. 6, to rotate the platen. During Fig. 5 is a sentinel 600,364. (No model.)

and at the other end a ratchet-wheel 5. Fiv oted adjacent to the ratchet-wheel 5 is a swinging frame 6, carrying a fixed pawl 7 and a spring-pressed swinging pawl 8, which is also capable of moving laterally on its sup- 55 port or in a direction transverse to the axis of the platen, and which is provided with a (Clearly shown in Figs. 3 This swinging frame turns upon an the descent of' the frame the toe 9 of the swinging pawl. 8 engages with one of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 5 and causes a partial rotation of the platen, the movement of rotation of the platen and the swinging of the frame being stopped by the fixed pawl 7 on the swinging frame coming in contact with one of the moving teeth of the ratchetwheel 5 as the said swinging frame swings 7o downward. Upon the return swing of the frame 6 to its initial position, the swinging pawl 8 will be moved aside in a transverse direction by its Wedge or bevel face 9 c0ntacting with a tooth of the ratchet as the frame swings. Hence when the frame is swinging downward, the pawl 9 will first cause-the rotation of the platen, the pawl 7 will then be brought into contact with the ratchet and stop the platen, the same having been stepped the required distance by the pawl 9, and upon the return movement the pawl 9 will glide over the outside of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel and produce no motion thereof.

By referring to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noted that the type-bars 11 are shown as substantially vertical, though it is obvious that they may be otherwise mounted. These type-bars are each mounted upon a carrier plate or 0 frame 12, which plates are set in a bed-plate 13, being held thereto by screws 14, which pass through slotted ears or lugs15, shown as forming part of the type-bar-carrying plates 12. These plates converge so that allthe 5 type-bars will strike at a common printing pcint,and are adjustable, by means of the screws 14 and the slotted ears 15, to and from the point or points of convergence, so as to set the type to Write in proper alinement. It

will be observed that the type-bars are pivoted to the plates to which the elbow or bellcrank lovers are also pivoted. To one end of each elbow-lever 16 (shown in Fig. 2) a keystem 17 is pivoted by its lower end, the other end of the elbow-lever 16 being connected by a link 18 to the lower end of the type-bar below the pivot thereof. Each of these links 18 works in a slot or recess 19 ina key-lever and type-bar-earryin g plate. The plates may also be slotted, as at 20, for the reception of a spring 21, attached to the plate and to the elbow-lever 16, to normally hold the type-bars in the elevated position. Each of the plates may also be provided with a slot 22 for the reception of a pivot 23, which connects the stem 17 of a type-key with the outer end of the pivoted elbow-lever 16. As before stated, the type-bar-carrying plates converge, but the pivots for the type-bars are located, preferably, on the same horizontal plane, but at different distances from the nominal center of convergence, commencing at each side and gradually lengthening toward the center of the curve, as shown in Fig. 5. In this figure the type-bar pivot in each plate is numbered 24, the type-bars at the middle of the curve being longer than those at the ends of the curve, for the reason that as we proceed from the ends of the curve to the middle the distances from the printing-point to the pivots of the various key-levers increase. By this means of mounting and constructing the type-bars I am enabled to construct a type-writing machine wherein a minimum amount of space is occupied by the type-bars and the operating mechanism therefor. Thus it will be observed in Fig. 1 that the type-bars and plates or frames therefor are mounted alinostin contact with each other at the inner ends. It will be seen that if the type-bars were all of the same length it would be necessary to mount them farther apart in order to prevent them from contacting or interfering with one another, but, by arranging the type-bars after the manner shown and described, I am enabled to bring the type-bars and their carrying-plates closer together spoon-fashion. The

simplicity and compactness of a machine made in accordance with my invention will be appreciated when it is understood that Figs. 1 and 2 show a full-size working machine.

The mode of operation of the type-bars will be obvious from the drawings, as it is clear that the pressure upon the key-lever or plunger 17 will swing the elbow-lever 16 and cause it to pull upon the link 18, thus throwing the type-bar 11 down and out against the platen. Having described the general plan of the machine and the mode of operation of the type-bars, I will now set forth the arrangement of the carriage-feeding devices.

Pivoted upon or adjacent to each of the plates 12 is a bar 25, Figs. 2 and 9, whose pivot is at the point 26 and one end of which extends beneath a short universal spacingbar 27, pivoted to the frame of the machine by arms 27*, and which is connected with the carriage-feedin g pawl 28,01 any suitable feeding mechanism, by a link 29. By referring to Fig. 1 it Will be noted that all these levers converge beneath the universal spacingbar 27, owing to which fact the universal spacing-bar may be short. The divergent ends of these bars 25 come beneath the stems 17 of the keys, so that when the types strike the platen the elbow-lever 16 will contact with and operate the pivoted lever 25, thereby operating the carriage-feed. The carriage-feed may also be operated independently by a depressible space-bar 30,which in turn depresses a bar 31 through the medium of rods 32. This bar 31 in turn operates upon a lever 33,which is pivoted at 34 and whose free end 35 extends beneath the carriage-feeding pawl 28, so as to operate it independently of the key-levers. The feeding of the carriage is effected by the usual spring-actuated reel 36 by a cord connection 37, secured to the carriage, as shown at 37*, and intervening between the said reel and the paper-carriage.

The form of carriage-shifting mechanism is shown clearly in Figs. 0, 7, and 8. The carriage 38 slides horizontally upon suitable ways 38*, Figs. 2 and 6, to and from the group of type-barsthat is to say, in a direction transverse to the axis of the plalen-.being reciprocated back and forth by the platenlink 39, which is pivoted by one end to the standard 40 of the paper or platen carriage. A link 41 also connects the standard 40 to an arm 42 on a rock-shaft 43, running under the machine to the opposite side thereof, where it is connected in a like manner by an arm 44 and link 45 to a second standard 46 of the paper-carriage, whereby by drawing the platen-link 39 the paper-carriage will be moved toward the type-bars and by pushing upon the said link the paper-carriage will be shifted away from the type-bars.

The free end of the link 3.) is provided with notches 47 48. Pivoted upon the frame of the machine in standards is a shifting-link 49, which is provided with a pin 50, which is adapted to enter the notch 47 when the parts are in their normal position, as indicated in Fig. 0. The shift-key 51 is also pivoted to the link 49. If the shift-key 51 is depressed, the pin will swing the shifting-link 49 on its pivot, will push upon the lever 39, thereby shifting the paper-carriage away from the type-bars, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. A shifting-link 52, similar to the link 49, is also pivoted upon the machine and carries a pin 53, adapted to engage in the notch 48 of the lever 39. A shift-key 54 is also connected to the shifting-link 52, so that the depression of the shift-key 54 will cause the pin 53 to pull upon the lever 39 and shift the carriage toward the type-bars, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. A spring 40*, Fig. 1, is employed to exert pressure upon the under side of the lever 39 bar is in its retracted position.

and tends normally to maintain said lever in the raised' position, as indicated in Fig. 6, the shifting keys and links being normally maintained in the elevated position by springs 49* 52*. It will be observed that by this means I am enabled to shift the carriage to any one of the printing positions to bring the operating-face of the platen in position to receive the impact of any one of the three characters upon each type-bar. It should be noted that when the parts are in the position represented in Fig. 6 all of the links of the shifting mechanism are on dead-centers that is to say, the pivots ofthe shifting links, the points where they connect with the link 39, and the pivotal point of the link on the carriage are in substantially a straight line and the tendency toward vibration of the carriage is thus exerted against a dead-center. By this means I provide a shifting mechanism wherein the shifting-links are maintained on dead-center relatively to the carriage when the parts are in the normal posi tion, as represented in Fig. 6, whereby all undue vibration of the carriage and the shifting mechanism is avoided.

Having described the general construction of mytype-writer, I will now proceed to describe some of the modifications which I contemplate applying.

Having reference now particularly to Figs.- and 11, 55 is a type-bar-carrying plate or frame, provided with the slotted adjusting ear or lug 56, and bent at 57 to form an extension 58, to which the type-bar 59 is pivoted, the said type-bar resting against the bend 57, which forms a step therefor when the type- The type-bar carrying-plate 55 also has an elbow-lever 60 pivoted to it, one end of which is connected by r a link 61 to the lower end of the type-bar 59 other form of type-bar-carrying plate 66 is indicated, to which the type-bar 67 is pivoted by pivot 68 and is pivoted above said pivot 68 to a push-link 69, which is adapted to vibrate in a slot or aperture 72. This link 69 has the other end thereof pivoted to an elbowlever 70, pivoted to the plate 66 and provided The op-- at its free end with a key-lever 71. erations of these two forms of key-lever actuating'and carrying devices will be obvious from an inspection of the drawings.

The advantages of constructing a type-writing machine wherein each of the type-bars and entire operating mechanism therefor can be carried by a single plate will likewise, it is thought, be apparent. However, brief reference will be had thereto. In type-writing machines it is desirable to construct the machine with shortest possible ty'pe-bars consistent with the construction as a whole, because the type-bars form the key to the entire mechanism so far as the size thereof is concerned. Furthermore, by providing short type-bars there is more rigidity of the parts and less liability of an improper alinement being bad. It being borne in mind that a short type-bar is both desirable and essential to a small, compact, and efficient machine, it will be readily understood that it is at the same time necessary to provide a small joint for the type-bar where it joins its support, in order that the smallest possible curve may be struck and at the same time allow sufli'-' cient room for the free movement of the part. With these points in mind it is thought the advantages of mounting type-bars in the manner shown and described will be apparent. Short type-bars may be mounted in a small curve close to the operating-platen, the position of which platen corresponds substantially to a chord of the curve and thereby enables me to produce a type-writing machine which possesses more stability and is more efficient than type-writers wherein longer type-bars are employed and allows of the machine being made much smaller.

In a type-writing machine made in accordance with my invention each type-bar, and the mechanism for operating it, occupies a space laterally of only about twice the thickness of the type-bar. Furthermore, the mechanism is made readily adjustable to secure proper alinement of the type and the individual plates can be readily disconnected and taken out, together with its type-bar and the operating means therefor, for' the purposes of repair,without dismounting the other parts of the machine.

From the foregoing it will be plain that I have produced a type-writer which is simple in construction, eflicient in operation, durable and compact, whose parts may be readily adjusted, and in which the writing is at all times, in plain sight of the operator.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of converging bars 25, combined with key-levers and with a universal spacing-bar.

2. In a type-writing machine, the combination with suitable actuating mechanism of a series of type-bars'arrange'd upon a curve, the

said type-bars being of successively greatergreater distances from the point of convergence thereof as the middle of the curve is approached.

4. In a type-writing machine, the combination with suitable actuating mechanism of a series of type-bars arranged upon a curve, the said type-bars being pivoted on the same plane at successively greater distances from the point of convergence thereof as the middle of the curve is approached.

5. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of disconnected converging plates each carrying a type-bar, actuating mechanism for the said type-bars also carried by each of said plates, the said type-bars being arranged on a curve and of successively greater lengths from the ends of the curve to the middle thereof, whereby a spoon-like arrangement of the types maybe elfected, substantially as describet 6. The combination in a type-writing ma chine of a series of converging type-baromriers, pivoted type-bars carried thereby,converging spacing-bars 25 likewise carried by said type-bar carrier, and a universal bar 27 adaptedto be operated upon by said spacin g-bars.

7. In a type-writing machine, the combination with suitable actuating mechanism of a series of type-bars arranged upon a curve, the said type-bars being of successively greater lengths as the middle of the curve is approached and a platen corresponding in position to a chord of the curve upon which said type-bars are mounted.

8. The following instrumentalities combined in a type-writer: a series of disconnected converging type-bar-carrying' plates each provided with independent means for ad justing the same to or from the point or points of convergence, type-bars carried thereby and arranged along a curve, the said type-bars being of greater length at the middle of the curve than at the ends thereof, as and for the purposes set forth.

9. A type-writer printing mechanism comprising a single recessed plate, a type-bar pivoted thereto, a key-stem and a connection between the key-stem and type-bar, working in the recess of the plate, whereby the support for the working parts adds only the thickness of the material to the lateral space occupied by the printing mechanism.

10. A type-writer printing mechanism comprising a plate or frame, a type-bar pivoted thereto, a bell-crank lever also pivoted to the plate or frame, a key-stem for actuating the bell-crank lever, and a link connection intervening between the type-bar and the bellcrank lever.

11. A type-writer mechanism comprising a single apertured plate, a type-bar pivoted thereto, a key-stem for actuating the type-bar and a connection between the key-stem and the type-bar working in the aperture of the plate, whereby the support for the working parts adds only the thickness of the material to the lateral space occupied by the printing mechanism, substantially as described.

12. Asa means for rotating the platen of a type-writing machine, the combination with the said platen of a ratchet-wheel carried thereby, a pivoted frame adjacent to said ratchet-whee], and carrying a plurality of pawls adapted to engage on opposite sides of the said ratchet-wheel, whereby upon swinging the frame one pawl will operate to rotate the ratchet-wheel as the pivoted frame swings, and the other pawl will be brought into contact with the side of the ratchet-wheel opposite to that acted upon by the actuating-pawl so as to bring the ratchet-wheel to rest.

13. As a means for rotating the platen of a type-writing machine, the combination with the said platen and a ratchet carried thereby of a plurality of pawls upon a common carrier, one of the said pawls beinglaterally movable and the other pawl being rigid, the said pawls being adapted to engage with the opposite sides of the ratchet-wheel, whereby upon movement of the common carrier the laterall y-niovable pawl will engage with the ratchet-wheel and rotate the same, and the rigid pawl will be brought in contact with the ratchet-wheel to stop the same, the said laterallyinoving pawl yielding and gliding over the teeth of the ratchet-wheel upon the return movement of the common carrier.

1.4.. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a platen, a ratchet-wheel 5 carried on one end thereof, a carrier-frame (5 provided with a pawl '7 rigid therewith, and a laterally-yielding pawl 8 provided with the incline 9, the said pawls being adapted to engage with the ratchet-wheel upon opposite sides the pawl 8 operating to rotate the ratchet until the rigid pawl 7 contacts therewith to stop the same, the whole constituting a platen-rotating device or feed for a typewriting machine. 1

15. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a platen-carriage, a link connected to said carriage for moving the same, said link being on a dead-center with relation to the carriage when the carriage is in its normal position, and one or more keys for moving said link from the dead-center position to shift the carriage.

16. A shifting mechanism comprisinga keystem, a pivoted shifting-link which is on a dead-center with relation to the carriage in one of the printing positions, a platen-link connected to the platen-carriage and means for connecting the pivoted shifting-link with the platen-link to move it to and from its dead-center position to shift the carriage, substantially as described and for the purposes set forth,

17. A back-and-forth carriage-shifting mechanism, consisting of a carriage, a platenlink, a plurality of pivoted shifting-links on a dead-center with relation to the carriage in one of the printing positions and adapted to connect with the platen-link for shifting the carriage, the said shifting-links being pivoted on opposite sides of the point of connection thereof With the platen-link, whereby the connection of one pivoted shifting-link With the said platen-link will cause the carriage to be shifted in one direction, Whereas the connection of the other shifting-link with the platen-link Will cause the carriage to be shifted in an opposite direction.

18. In a carriage-shifting device for type- Writers, the combination of a platen-link, a plurality of shifting-links pivoted to swing in opposite directions each of said links being on a dead-center with relation to the car'- riage in one of the printing positions and adapted to connect with and be disconnected from said platen-link and keys for actuating said shif tin g-links, substantially as described.

EMERY M. HAMILTON. Witnesses:

GEORGE H. ENGELHARD, GEO. E. MORSE. 

